Rotary engine.



R. J. DAVIDSON. ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 28, 1911.

1,077,222. Patented Oct. 23, 1913.

" 2 SHBETS-SHEET 1.

R. J. DAVIDSON.

ROTARY ENGINE.

APPLICATION FILED Hume, 1911.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W/LMM4%M/ 2 uuLuMalA PLANOGRAPH COQWASHXNGTGN. D. c.

ROBERT J. DAVIDSON, or CHICAGO, ILLINoIs.

ROTARY ENGINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 28, 1913.

Application filed February 28, 1911. Serial No. 611,414.

To all whom it may concern Be it knownthat I, ROBERT J. DAVIDSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful type of Rotary Engine, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a new form of engine or mechanism for converting steam or other fluidunder compression into rotary motion, or for making use of energy for the purpose of compressing such fluid or gas, in which case the mechanism acts as a compressor or pump; or it may be used as a vacuum pump.

One of the objects of the present invention is to providea rotary engine in which the steam or other fluid under compression is allowed to do its work by expansion to any necessary degree, depending upon the exact form and proportion of the parts and their relations to one another, so as to enable me to extract the greatest amount of mechanical energy from each unit of steam or other fluid under c0mpressi0n.-

Other objects of the invention are: to provide a rotary engine in which the steam or other fluid delivers the mechanical energy gradually and uniformly according to its expansion; to provide an engine in Wl'llCll the steam does its work by expanding through one or more passageways of gradu ally increasing size; and to so form the parts that the torque or rotating tendency will be practically uniform, owing to the substantially uniform expansion of the fluid, so that the engine will run in the smoothest manner and with the least amount of vibration, and so that it will be well adapted to those uses in which uniformity of torque is desirable.

In using the ordinary form of constant speed engine, means must be provided for regulating the admission of steam or other fluid under compression into the expansion chambers, according to the demands of the load, and such regulating means generally takes-the form of some type of governor. In the present instance, I provide an engine of such form and construction that it automatically regulates the admission of the compressed fluid into the expansion chambers to the amount necessary to overcome the load on the engine. 7

In the embodiment of my invention I provide one or more expansion members which I term cylinders; each of these cylinders 1s provided on its interior with a spiral passageway preferably of increasing size. Into each cylinder is injected a proper amount of some material which is liquid at the temperature of the cylinder during operation, and each cylinder is then suitably mounted in bearings, so that it may rotate about an axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the helix of the spiral passageway. The parts are so formed that as each cylinder rotates the lower end of the passageway will be submerged alternately in the liquid and in the expansive fluid. As the cylinder rotates, alternate portions of liquid and expansive fluid will be taken into the spiral passageway, and the fluid will expand in the same, forcing the portions of liquid before it, and thus causing the cylinder to rotate.

Each cylinder is preferably mounted so that its axis of rotation is in a slanting or inclined position. When the cylinder is thus mounted with its axis in an inclined position, its bearings should preferably be carried in a framework or the like, which in turn may revolve about a substantially vertical axis at the same time that the cylinders themselves rotate about their own axes. When using such a construction, each cylinder will be subjected to a double motion, namely, a rotation about its own axis and a revolution about the common axis. This revolution will subject the liquid in each cylinder to a centrifugal force, which will cause the same to assume a position as far as possible over the vertical axis about which the cylinder is revolving; When using this construction with the cylinder axis placed in an inclined position, the lower ends of the spiral passageways will be alternately submerged in the liquid and in the expanding fluid, without the necessity of making other provision for such submergence.

Means are provided for introducing steam or other fluid under compression into each cylinder, so that the same will press downwardly against a portion of the liquid therein, causing the remainder of the liquid to rise into another portion of the cylinder a sufficient distance to establish a balance between said steam or other fluid pressure on the one end, and the centrifugal pressure due to the uneven heights of the liquid on the other end. As the lower open end of each spiral passageway is alternately carried above and below the level of the liquid, the steam pressure will. act directly into the spiral passageway when the same is uncovered, so that alternate portions of liquid and compressed fluid will be taken into the lower open end of the spiral passageway and. caused to rise in the same with a corkscrew-like movement. Owing to the centrifugal tendency due to the revolution about the vertical axis, these portions or deposits of liquids will be thrown out toward the outer wall of the spiral passageway, and will ascend in the passageway owing to the expansion of the compressed fluid behind them.

It will be understood that in the previous description it has been assumed that the machine is operating as an engine. Of course, when. it is used as a compressor or vacuum pump, the action will be substantially opposite to that described, although the principles of operation will remain substantially the same.

I make use of the aforementioned liquid in the cylinders, such, for example, as water or mercury, for another purpose, viz.: for regulating the rate of admission of steam or other expansive fluid into the spiral passageway in accordance with the load demand. The amount of liquid cut off by the spiral passageway during each rotation of the cylinder will depend upon the height of the liquid surface at the point where the lower end of the passageway cuts through the same. The height of said surface depends, among other things, upon the centrifugal force of the liquid within the cylinder, which depends upon the speed of revolution about the common central axis. Conse quently, the respective amounts of liquid and fluid which will be cut off by the end of the spiral passageway during each rotation of the cylinder will be determined by the amount of fluid pressure required to balance the centrifugal force of revolution of the liquid column in the longitudinal passageway whose upper surface is adjacent to the exhaust end of the spiral passageway, and the amounts out off will be in accordance with the load requirement.

Other objects of the invention are, first to provide a new form of rotary engine or the like for converting the energy of steam or other fluid under compression into rotary motion, or on the other hand to use said engine for purposes of compressing of fluids or for a vacuum pump; to provide an engine in which the reaction which causes rotation is produced in a certain way by the expansion of the compressed fluid, thus utilizing the energy of said fluid to the greatest possible extent; to produce an engine which may be capable of converting a comparatively large amount of energy per unit size, by reason of considerable density of the aforementioned liquid in the cylinders; to provide a rotary engine of such form that it may be easily and perfectly balanced, thus adapting it particularly to high speed service; to provide means for replenishing the amount of liquid in the cylinders from time to time as it becomes necessary; on the other hand, to provide means for preventing an excess accumulation of said liquid within the cylinders; to provide means for removing any water of condensation which may accumulate in certain portions of the engine, by reason of the centrifugal force, thus insuring that said water of condensation may not cause trouble; to provide a number of forms of cylinder, all acting on the same general principle of operation, but each pos sessing certain desirable characteristics of construction; to so proportion the parts that the cylinders will rotate about their own axes in proper fixed relation to their combined revolution about the common axis; to provide means for insuring as much as possible the separation of the liquid in the cylinders from the expanded fluid before the latter passes away from the cylinders; and in other ways and'mani'iers to provide a form of rotary engine having simplicity of construction and relation of parts, thus re ducing as much as possible the liability to disarrangement, and facilitating replacements and repairs.

teferring now to the drawings, in Fig. 1 I show a cross section through one form of my new type of engine, the same being equipped with one form of cylinder and with one type of mechanism for insuring a constant replenishing of the liquid within the cylinders, and being further provided with mechanism for allowing an overflow of such liquid from the cylinders when necessary, and being provided with. means for automatically removing fluid of condensation which may collect in the elbows by reason of the centrifugal force; Fig. 2 shows a side elevation of the cylinder of Fig. 1, taken at right angles to the section in which the same is shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a detail cross section of the valve of one form of mechanism for allowing an overflow of liquid from the cylinders; F ig. 4: is a detail snowing the end of the pipe for introducing liquid into the cylinder; Fig. 5 is a detail cross section of a modified cylinder; Fig. (i is a cross section of a second modification of cylinder; Fig. 7 is a c oss section of a. third modification; Fig. 8 is a cross section of a fourth modification; Fig. 9 is a cross section of a fifth modification; Fig. 10 is a cross section of another modification, in which the parts are so arranged that the fluid pressure is admitted to an internal space instead of the annular passageway; and Fig. 11 is a detail of one form of mechanism for automatically removing water of condensation which may'collectin the elbows from time to time.

In the preferred embodiment of my in vention, I provide a frame-work, and suitably pivot the same so that it may revolve about a substantially vertical axis. This frame-work is suitably formed to provide axial bearings for a plurality of cylinders, in such way that all of said cylinders slope or slant toward a common point in the axis about which the frame itself revolves. A stationary gear is then provided in said axis of frame revolution, and each cylinder in turn carries a suitable gear which meshes with said stationary gear. Each of said cylinders may then rotate about its own axis in the bearings which are provided for it in the frame-work, and owing to the meshing of the cylinder gears with the stationary gear all of the cylinders and also the frame will revolve about the stationary gear, being enabled to do this by reason of the rotary support provided for the frame-work and cylinders.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral 10 designates the supply pipe which delivers steam or other fluid under compression, or, when the engine is running as a compressor, serves as the delivery pipe of the compressed fluid. This pipe 10 connects with a vertical pipe 11, which is supported in a stationary manner at the point 12 in the base of the engine. A sleeve 13 is rigidly attached to the upper end of the pipe 11, and serves as a pivotal bearing for a rotatable pipe member 14E. Packings 15 and 15 serve to insure a steam tight connection between the pipes 11 and 14. A bevel gear 16, rigidly secured to the sleeve, serves as'astationary or non-rotatable member, which may be engaged by the bevel gears of the cylinders.

The revoluble frame which carries the cylinders comprises upper and lower ring pipe members 17 and 18, respectively. A number of laterals 19, preferably one for each cylinder, carry the compressed fluid fro-1n the pipes 14: to the upper ring member, and corresponding pipes 20 form a connection from the upper to the lower ring member. The lower part of the frame-work comprises a plurality of radial arms 21, secured at their inner ends to a common hub 22, which finds a vertical support on the bearing 12 and which may revolve about the pipe 11. The end portions 23 of these arms are hollow, and communicate with the lower ring member so that the compressed fluid may find its way into the hollow end portions 23.

The pipe portion 14 is sealed at 24, whence it continues upwardly as an exhaust is bolted or otherwise suitably attached to the end of each arm 23. Its outer end is inturned to provide a lower bearing 29 for the corresponding cylinder, said bearing being properly alined with the corresponding upper bearing 27. In order to properly withstand the weight of the cylinder and. to

resist the centrifugal force thereof, the end 30 of each bearing 29 is flared out so as to provide considerable bearing surface, and. a-

suitable packing 31 serves to insure a steam tight joint I A pulley 32 is suitably attached to the exhaust pipe 25 and serves as a means for removing power from the engine or for driving the same when it is used as a com:

pressor. A bracket 33, attached to a sta tionary portion of the engine, serves as a support for a pipe 34:, which may exhaust to the atmosphere orto a condenser,.as desired. A bearing'35 on the end of the pipe 34 serves as a connection from the exhaust pipe 25 to the pipe 3e, packing rings 36 or the like serving to insure a tight connection at this point.

The frame of the engine illustrated comprises a lower stationary pan 37, and an upper shell 38 suitably attached to the same, a removable cover 39. providing means for gaining access to the interior of the shell, for purposes of adjustment or repair. Packings 12 and 26 serve to secure tight connection at these points. A vacuum pump connection 37 is provided for exhausting the gaseous contents of the shell 38, so that the engine may be operated in a vacuum if desired.

I will now describe the form of cylinder shown in Fig. 1, and afterward the modifications illustrated in Figs. 5 to 10 inclusive. The body of each cylinder of the form shown in Fig. 1 comprises an outer cylindrical shell 40,- having its lower end 41 of considerably reduced diameter, and terminating in a hollow bearing member 12 which is rotatably mounted in the bearing 29. An intermediate member 43 is suitably secured to the upper portion of the shell, and is provided in its body portion with a downwardly hanging partition in which there is a spiral passageway 4: 1. This passageway commences with a comparatively small opening 45 at its lower end, and gradually increases in size until it terminates in a comparatively large opening 46 at its upper end. The space included within this partition provides a hollow longitudinal passageway 47, which terminates at its lower end in a neck 18, preferably contracted, as shown; said longitudinal passageway serving to establish communication between the space 49 in the upper end of the cylinder and the space 50 in the lower end thereof. The inside diameter of the member 40 and the outside diameter of the member 417 are such that an annular space 51 is left between them. A cap member 53 is provided with one or more narrow passages 52, which serve to establish communication between pipes 54 and 55 and the annular space 51. These pipes 54: and 55 connect at their lower ends with a longitudinal pipe 56, which extends downwardly through the space 47 and provides communication at its lower end with the hollow extension member 28 through the hollow bearing 4.52. It is thus seen that steam or other fluid may gain access to the annular space 51 through the medium of the pipes 56, 54 and 55 and the passages 52. Reference to Fig. 2, which is an elevation of the cylinder taken at right angles to the section of the same, shows that the passages 5:2 are comparatively narrow.

A hearing member 57 is secured to the upper end of each cylinder. In the construction of Figs. 1 and 2 this hearing member takes the form of a hollow shell 58, the upper end of which fits within the corresponding downwardly extending arm 27. The lower end 59 of the shell is somewhat con; tracted, so as to largely separate any liquid from the exhausting stem as the same passes upwardly. In order to further insure such separation, a secondary hollow shell 60 is provided within the shell 58, so that the steam will be directed outwardly around said shell 66 and any liquid will be entrapped within the same.

In order to transmit motion from each cylinder to the pulley, or vice versa, and in order to secure the necessary rotation of each cylinder about its own axis, a gear 61 secured to each cylinder meshes with a stationary gear 16, so that as the cylinder rotates about its own axis it will also be carried around said gear 16, thus causing the frame as an entirety to revolve. This will also cause revolution of the pulley 82. Obviously, for each set of gears the relation between the speed of rotation of the cylinders about their axes will be fixed with respect to the speed. of revolution about the common vertical axis.

As I have beforestated, I introduce into each cylinder a proper amount of some heavy liquid, as, for example, water or mercury. When the engine is at rest, this liquid will stand level in each cylinder, but when the engine is revolving, the liquid will be thrown into another position by reason of the centrifugal force and fluid pressure. If the frame and cylinders are revolved with sufficient rapidity before the expansive fluid is admitted into the space 51, then the liquid will be thrown into approximately that position in the cylinders in which the largest volume of it is farthest from the central shaft, and a common liquid surface level will be established in the passageway 47 and the annular space 51. This level will be such as to completely or nearly close the lower end of the spiral passageway during its entire rotation. If steam or other expansive fluid is gradually admitted to the space 51 througlr the passages leading thereto, the surface of the liquid in said space will be depressed, forcing some of the liquid into the passage 4.7 and raising the surface therein. The surface will then be substantially as shown by the dotted lines in the cylinder of Fig. 1. Under these conditions the expansive pressure of the fluid in the space 51 will balance the centrifugal force of the liquid due to the difference in the radii of the surfaces C and D, measured from the common axis of revolution. Assuming that the pressures are such as to throw the liquid into the position shown in Fig. 1, it is seen that the lower end of the spiral passageway will be alternately submerged in the liquid and expansive fluid. This will cause successive alternate portions of liquid to be cut OH, and these alternate portions will be driven through the spiral passageway by the pressure and expansion of the fluid, causing the cylinder to rotate. Owing to the centrifugal force of revolution about the central vertical axis, these portions of liquid, which contain between them the entrapped portions of expansive fluid, will be thrown out into that location of the spiral passageway which is farthest from said axis of revolution. This being the case, said portions of liquid and fluid, as they each rise in the spiral passageway, will cause the cylinders to rotate until they successively emerge from the upper end of the spiral passageway into the space 49. As they emerge at the upper end the expansive fluid will pass off through the proper exhaust passages, while the liquid will. fall back into the space 47, thus allowing the operation to be continuous.

Obviously the lower end. of the spiral passageway dips into the liquid and emerges therefrom at the surface C. In order to secure the best results, the passage should have its greatest cross sectional dimension substantially parallel to said surface, so that the liquid portions will be better separated by having a higher arch between them, in that part of the spiral passageway through which the fluid is passing, than would be the case if the greatest diameter of said passageway were in another direction.

Therefore, the best formof spiral passageway at its lower end is probably that of a rhomboid, substantially as shown in Fig. 1.

Owing to the fact that some of the liquid may be carried olf in the exhaust or may be otherwise lost, I find it desirable to provide means for automatically and continuously replenishing and regulating the amount of liquid in each cylinder. IV hen the machine is run as a compressor, these means may be readily adapted to serve as a cooling device to cool the fluid which is being compressed. In Fig. 3 I show in detail one form of valve mechanism for allowing an excess of liquid to leave the cylinder. In the-construction illustrated, I attach a pipe 62 (see Fig. 2) onto the upper portion of the cylinder, said pipe communicating with the opening shown in elevation at 63 in Fig. 1. This pipe eX- tends down the outer side of thecylinder and terminates in a valve mechanism 64. It is evident that any excess liquid from the cylinder will find its way during the suc cessive rotation of the same about its own axis through the opening 63 into the pipe 62. Thereupon this liquid will accumulate in the lower part of said pipe and will exert a pressure on the valve at the lower end of the same by reason of the centrifugal force of the liquid. It is evident that the valve end of the plpe always occupies a position at a greater radius from the pipe 11 about which the frame is revolving than does the opening 63, so that this centrifugal force will be considerable. In the construction of valve illustrated, I provide a shell 65 suitably attached to the lower end 66 of the pipe. A. pop valve 67 serves to close the end of the pipe, being normally held in closed position by means of a spiral spring 68. To this pop valve is attached a stem 69 which is guided in the pipe by a suitable head 70. The lower end of the spring seats against a nut 71, which may be screwed up and down in the casing to adjust the compression on the spring. If desired, a perforated cap 72 may be used for closing the end of the casing and protecting the mechanism within the same. I

The operation of the valve 64': will be similar to that of a. pop valve. As soon as sufficient liquid is accumulated in the lower portion of the pipe 66 to create sufficient centrifugal force to overcome the spring tension, the valve will open and allow said liquid to be discharged until the centrifugal force is again reducedbelow a certain point. Thereupon the valve will again close and stay closed until the centrifugal pressure again rises to the necessary degree. Any liquid which is thrown off from the cylinders through the valve 64 will drop down and collect in the lower surface of the pan 37. Thence it will drain off through a pipe 7 6 provided with a valve 77 into a recepto a crank pulley 75.

tacle 37 in the bottom of which is a draw cock 37*.

In order to insure a constant supply of liquid in the cylinders, I provide a pump 73 which is automatically driven by the rotation of the engine. This is accomplished by means of a pulley 74 on the rotating exhaust pipe, which pulley is suitably belted The pump draws liquid from the receptacle 37 and delivers the same through a pipe 7 8 into a receiving vessel 79 located at the top of the engine. A small pipe 80 passes from the receptacle 79 down through the exhaust pipe to a Y connection 81 Atthis point it branches, a branch 82 passing down into each cylinder."-The end portion 83, of each of these branch pipes is suitably journaled. in the cylinder, and has a laterally projecting opening 84 through which the liquid passes into the cylinder; The construction of this end portion of the liquid delivery pipe is shown in detail in Fig. 4.

Owing to the very considerable centrifugal force which will be developed in the lower parts of the cylinders and pipe connections, there will be a tendency for any fluid of condensation to collect in the elbows 85. For this reason there is danger that from time to time plugs of such liquid of condensation will be suddenly driven up through the pipe 56 and may cause damage. For this reason I provide'means for automatically'removing such liquid of condensation from time to time, in order to insure a clear passage at this point. In the'construction illustrated, this means comprises a valve 86 attached to each elbow at its outer end. Each valve comprises a shell 87 suitably attached to the elbow and provided with a discharge opening 88. A float valve 89 in the chamber 87 is provided with a valve 90' which serves to normally keep the opening closed. This float valve is guided in its movement by means of pins 91 and 92 so as to insure a straight back and forth movement. As the liquid of condensation collects from time to time, it will be thrown out into the chamber 87, until finally there is sufficient to float the valve. When this is the case, the valve will rise and allow some liquid to be discharged. When sufficient liquid has passed ofl', the floating power of I the valve will be so far reduced that it will again seat to close the opening.

As before stated, in Fig. 1 I illustrate one type of cylinder which may be preferable when the engine is used under certain conditions. I will now describe a number of modifications of cylinder, each of which, while acting on'the same general principle as that previously illustrated and described, possesses characteristics which render it suitable for certain service. Obviously, for each form of cylinder there exists a certain revolution and speed of rotation. This may be easily accomplished by changing the gears 16 and 61 within the necessary limits. In the construction shown in Figs. land 2, the gear 61 is relatively large compared with the gear 16; consequently, the speed of cylinder rotation will be smaller compared with the speed of revolution. It is desirable that that portion of the liquid adjacent to the exhaust end of the spiral passageway, when the machine is operated as an engine, should be of relatively large volume as compared with that adjacent to the feed end of the passageway. Also that the liquid surface adjacent to the exhaust end should be relatively large as compared with that adjacent to the feed end, so that a relatively small change of centrifugal pressure in the liquid will be sufhcient to cause that amount of change in the height of the surface C necessary to secure proper speed regulation. Consequently, if the amount of liquid contained in the passage 47 be small, then a large space should be provided above the passage so as to maintain the desirable relation between volume of liquid in the passage 47 and the upper end of the cylinder as compared with thevolume of liquid in the annular space 51 and the lower end of the cylinder.

In the construction illustrated in Figs. 1

and 2, and previously described, the diameter of the passage 47 is comparatively large, so that the volume in the head of the cylinder does not have to be very large in order to establish the aforementioned relation. In Fig. 5, however,I show a form of cylinder in which the volume within the passage is small. However, this is compensated for by providing a large space in the head 93. Here the oval line marks the edge of a removable section 98. I

In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the passageway 47 is shown of somewhat larger diameter, so that the space in the upper end of the cylinder does not have to be very large in order to secure the necessary relation. Furthermore, in this modification, the diameter of the gear 61 is approximately equal to that of the gear 16, so that the speed of rotation is practically equal to that of revolution. In other words, a compara- 1 low speed of revolution is secured.

This form of cylinder is peculiarly adapted for use with extra heavy liquids which do not require as high speed of revolution about the vertical axis in order to generate the necessary centrifugal force.

Fig. 7 illustrates a form of cylinder provided with a spiral passage 44 of great carrying capacity relative to its length between the bearings. The cylinder head is provided with a removable section 93 to permit of easy access to the interior of the cylinder.

In Fig. 8 I illustrate a somewhat diflerent style of cylinder and one which is intended to reduce the loss of heat by radiation. In this case the compressed fluid passes up through the opening 94 in the lower journal. and thence into an annular space 95 surrounding the cylinder, and extending upwardly about one-third the height of the same. The upper portion 96, which comprises the low pressure end of the cylinder, is not directly in communication with the annular space 97, but is separated therefrom by a space 98. The latter may be left open, in which case the heat insulation will be secured by reason of the space itself, or it may be packed with some insulating substance, as, for example, asbestos. The pipe 99 provides communication between the spaces 95 and 97, whereby the compressed fluid gains access to the lower end of the spiral passageway. \Vhen used as an engine, the space '95 may serve as a preheating jacket for melting a substance which may not be liquid atordinary temperatures.

In Fig. 9, I show a modification in which the longitudinal passage 47 is of large diameter relatively to the diameters of the spiral way 44 and is provided with a large upper space 100. This will permit the annularspace 1'00 to be made relatively large, which construction is advantageous in small sized cylinders.

In Fig. 10, I show a form of cylinder in which the fluid pressure is originally admitted to the space within the partition containi-ng the spiral passageway and discharges into the space outsidethe same. In this case the steam passes up through a pipe 101 and enters a space 102 at the upper end of the passage 47. 'The fluid pressure, acting on the surface C of the liquid, depresses the same into the position shown, so that the lower end 103 of the spiral, which in the present case opens at a point in eommunication with the passage 47, will be alternately submerged in the liquid and in the compressed fluid. The expansive fluid discharges at the upper end 104 of the spiral passageway into the space 105 on the outside of the partition. A trap 106 is provided for separatingany liquid from the expanded fluid. This trap is provided in its upper portion with a series of openings 107, through which the expanded fluid enters the trap, and a pipe 108 carries the fluid to the exhaust. A number of small holes 109, in the lower end of the trap, permit any separated liquid to fall back into the space 105. In this construction I am able to secure a very large liquid surface adjacent to the exhaust end of the spiral passageway relative to that of the liquid surface adjacent to the feed end of said passageway.

Although I have shown and described only a few forms of cylinders for use in a machine of this type, it will be understood that I in nowise limit myself to the use of the cylinders of the exact construction shown, except as called for in the claims, but

I contemplate within the scope of my invention any form of engine or the like inwhich the relation between mechanical movement and fluid pressure is established by means of a passageway preferably spiral in form used in conjunction with mechanism for allowing alternate portions of fluid and liquid to enter the spiral and travel through the same for the purposes hereinbefore illustrated and described. Furthermore, I include within the scope of my invention any form of hollow coil cylinder in and about which a liquid may be so disposed either by gravity and fluid pressure or by centrifugal force and fluid pressure as to cause it to operate as an engine when compressed fluid is supplied to it in the proper manner, or as a compressor or vacuum pump when external power is used to cause the parts to rotate.

When desired, a vacuum may be created within shell 38 of the engine, for the pur pose of reducing the air resistance or friction on the rotating parts. This vacuum further serves to prevent the loss of heat from the cylinders and framework. In case it is desired to use the liquid replenishing mechanism on an engine of this type, in

which the cylinders exhaust into a housing corresponding to the shell 38 and thence out through an exhaust pipe, the pop valve 67 may be left 015:.

I claim: 1. -In an engine or the like, a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a fluid and liquid passageway, a passage suitably disposed to admit fluid to one end of said passageway, and a passage suitably disposed to carry off fluid from the other end of the fluid and liquid passageway, the cylinder and fluid passageway being so disposed as to permit of relative rotation between liquid in the cylinder and the fluid and liquid passageway, to submerge one end of said passageway alternately in the liquid and in the fluid, substantially as described.

2. In an engine or the like, a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a spiral passageway, a passage suitably disposed to admit fluid to one end of the spiral passageway, and a fluid passage suitably disposed to carry off fluid from the other end of the spiral passageway, the cylinder and spiral passageway being so disposed as to permit of relative rotation between liquid in the cylinder and the spiral passageway, to submerge one end of said spiral passageway alternately in the liquid and in the fluid, substantially as described. 3. In an engine or the like, a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a spiral passageway increasing in size from end to end, a fluid passage suitably disposed to admit fluid to the small end of the spiral passageway, and a fluid passage suitably disposed to carry off fluid from the large end of the spiral passageway, the cylinder and spiral passageway being so disposed as to permit of relative rotation between liquid in the cylinder and the spiral passageway, to submerge the small end of the same alternately in the liquid and in the fluid, substantially as described.

4. In an engine. or the like, the combination, with a rotatable cylinder provided with a spiral passageway increasing in size from end to end, and means for admitting to either end of said passageway alternate portions of liquid and compressed fluid, of means for causing said portions of liquid and fluid to maintain a substantially fixed either end of said passageway-alternate portions of liquid and compressed fluid, of means for causing a centrifugal force in the liquid in said spiral passageway, whereby said portions of liquid within the same maintain a substantially fixed position with respect to the axis of cylinder rotation and to move in an axial direction within the spiral passageway, substantially as described.

6. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior with a spiral passageway, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis, and means for introducing fluid under compression into a portion of the cylinder to exert pressure on a portion of the surface of liquid within the same, substantially as described.

7. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a passageway spiraling in the direction of the axis thereof, and dividing the interior of the cylinder into an inner passage and an outer passage, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis, and means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid therein, substantially as described.

8. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a dividing partition, and having a spiral passageway in said partition,extending from one portion of the cylinder to another portion thereof, means for support' ing the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit revolution of the cylinder about another axis, and means for introducing fluid under compression into the space on one side of the dividing partition to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid therein, substantially as described.

9. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and proviced in its interior portion with a partition dividing said interior into an inner passage and an outer pas sage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis, and means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid in the same, thereby raising the surfaceof the liquid in the other passage, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

10. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and providel in its interior portion with a partition extending from its lower portion to its upper portion, and serving to divide the central portion of the interior of the cylinder into an inner iassage, and an outer passage communicating with the same at its lower end, and having a spi 'al passageway within said partition, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis, and means for introducing fluid under compi'ession into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid therein, substantially as described.

11. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a spiral passageway, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit revolution of the cylinder about another axis, means for introducing fluid under compression into a portion of the cylinder to exert pressure on a portion of the surface of the liquid, means for permitting an overflow of liquid from the cylinder, and means for replenishing the liquid, substantially as described.

12. In an engine or the like, the combination of cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquiu, and provided in its interior portion with a partition dividing the interior into an inner passage and an outer passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion of the same, means for supporting tne cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general. direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis to which the cylinder axis is inclined, means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned. passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid within the same, automatic means for permitting an overflow of liquid from the cylinder while preventing the escape of the exhaust fluid into the housing, and automatic means for replenishing the liquid within the cylinder, substantially as described.

13. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a partition dividing said interior into an inner passage and an annular passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sus of the same in which the compressed fluid presses against the surface of the liquid as compared with the volume of that portion in which the surface of the liquid is adjacent to the exhaust end of the cylinder, substantially as described.

14. In an engine or the like, the combina tion of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its in-' terior portion with an annular partition dividing said interior into an inner cylindrical shaped passage and an outer annular passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means of communication between the liquid contained in'the lower parts of said passages but not between fluid contained in the upper parts thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis to which the axis of the cylinder is inclined, to create a centrifugal force in the liquid and tending to throw the same outwardly against the wall of the cylinder farthest from said axis of revolution, means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid therein, and means for permitting an exhaust of expanded fluid from the cylinder, the cylinder being suitably formed to receive a rela tively small volume of liquid within that portion of the same in which the compressed fluid presses against the surface of the liquid as compared with the volume of that portion in which the surface of the liquid is adjacent to the exhaust end of the cylinder, substantially as described.

15. In an engine or the like, the combination of a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, -and provided in its interior portion with a partition dividing said interior into an inner passage and an outer passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis to which the axis of the cylinder is inclined, to create a centrifugal force in the liquid, whereby the same tends to rise against the wall of the cylinder farthest from said axis of revolution, means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the surface of the liquid within the same, thereby causing the liquid in the other passage to rise against the centrifugal force until a balance of pressure is established, and means for permitting an exhaust of fluid from the other end of the spiral passageway, substantially as described.

16. In an engine or the like, the combination, with a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a partition dividing said interior into an inner passage and an outer passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis to which the axis of the cylinder is inclined, and means for in troducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the liquid within the same, of means for controlling the pressure of the fluid under compression admitted to the cylinder, substantially as described.

17. In an engine or the like, the combination, with a cylinder adapted to receive and contain a liquid, and provided in its interior portion with a partition dividing said interior into an inner passage and an outer passage, and having a spiral passageway within said partition, extending from the lower portion of the cylinder to the upper portion thereof, means for supporting the cylinder to permit of rotation about an inclined axis substantially parallel to the general direction of the spiral, means for sustaining the aforementioned supporting means to permit of revolution of the cylinder about another axis to which the cylinder axis is inclined, and means for introducing fluid under compression into one of the aforementioned passages to exert pressure on the liquid within the same, of automatic means for controlling the pressure of the fluid under compression admitted to the cylinder, substantially as described.

18. In an engine or the like, the combination of a framework revoluble about a vertical axis, a cylinder mounted within said framework and rotatable about an axis inclined from the vertical, means for introducing fluid under compression into the lower portion of said cylinder, and means for Withdrawing liquid of condensation from the passages in the framework adjacent to the lower end of the cylinder, substantially as described.

19. In an engine or the like, the combination of a framework revoluble about a substantially vertical axis, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said framework and having its axis of rotation inclined at an angle from the vertical, means for introducing fluid under compression into the lower portion of the cylinder, and means for removing liquid of condensation from said portion of the framework from time to time as said liquid of condensation accumulates therein by reason of centrifugal force, substantially as described.

20. In an engine or the like, the combination of a framework revoluble about a substantially vertical axis, a cylinder rotatably mounted within said framework and having its axis of rotation inclined at an angle from the vertical, means for introducing fluid under compression into the lower portion of the cylinder, and automatic means for removing liquid of condensation from said portion of the framework from time to time as said liquid of condensation accumulates therein by reason of centrifugal force, substantially as described.

21. In an engine or the like, the combination of one or more cylinders of the class described with a revoluble supporting framework therefor, a central shaft bearing mem her for the framework, one portion thereof being suitably formed to provide a supply pipe for the conduction of compressed fluid to one of the aforementioned passages, and the other portion of the shaft bearing memher being suitably formed to provide an exhaust pipe in communication with the other aforementioned passage, a closed housing surrounding the framework and cylinf der or cylinders, and means for exhausting the air therefrom, substantially as described.

22. In an engine or the like, the combination of one or more cylinders of the class described with a revoluble supporting framework therefor, suitably formed to provide a passage for the conduction of fluid to the cylinder or cylinders, and a passage for the conduction of fluid from the cylinder or cylinders, a central shaft bearing member for the framework, having one portion suitably formed to provide a supply pipe in communication with one of the aforementioned passages, and having its other portion suitably formed to provide an exhaust pipe in communication with the other passage, and means for continuously supplying liquid to the interior or interiors of the cylinder or cylinders, substantially as described.

ROBERT J. DAVIDSON. Witnesses:

Frances M. Fnosr, THOMAS A. BANNING, Jr.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

